Les Rendez-vous de l'Erdre
Jazz and beautiful boating on the Erdre
About Rendez-vous de l'Erdre
Les Rendez-vous de l'Erdre: Jazz and River Heritage in Nantes
Since 1987, at the end of each summer, the banks of the Erdre have vibrated to the rhythm of jazz. Les Rendez-vous de l'Erdre were born from a dual ambition: to celebrate Nantes's jazz tradition—a city that hosted the very first jazz concert in Europe on February 12, 1918, at the Théâtre Graslin—and to revive the heritage of beautiful boating on one of France's most beautiful rivers.
A Festival Rooted in Nantes's History
In 1986, the City of Nantes organized a festive event to inaugurate the Île de Versailles and the quays of the Erdre. The festival then took a strong direction, drawing on the roots of Nantes's history: pleasure boating and jazz. The project revived the memory of the Erdre as a place for leisure, regattas, and guinguettes in the early 20th century, and perpetuated the jazz tradition that arrived in Nantes in 1918.
120 Free Open-Air Concerts
The programming explores all the aesthetics of jazz and today's improvised music: contemporary jazz, blues, soul, funk, brass bands, world music, and experimental creations. Approximately 400 local, national, and international artists perform each year on open-air stages scattered across fifteen towns in Loire-Atlantique, from Guenrouët to Nantes, along the 86 kilometers of the Erdre and the Nantes-Brest canal.
The festival hosts both major names in European and international jazz, as well as emerging artists and bands from the regional scene, with about 50% of the artists coming from the local and regional scene.
A Unique Nautical Gathering
In parallel with the concerts, nearly 150 to 200 heritage boats—traditional sailboats, dinghies, skiffs, some classified as Historical Monuments—converge on Nantes with about 600 crew members from all over France and beyond. This gathering of beautiful boating constitutes an unparalleled concentration of traditional boats in France on an inland waterway.
A Popular and Committed Festival
Les Rendez-vous de l'Erdre claim a clear positioning: a completely free festival, accessible to everyone, without compromising artistic excellence. The event is a moment of conviviality, musical discovery, and encounters along the water, in a festive and family-friendly atmosphere that brings together over 150,000 people each year.
Rendez-vous de l'Erdre — edition 2026
The Rendez-vous de l'Erdre celebrate their 40th anniversary from August 24 to 30, 2026. A unique free festival in France combining jazz and classic boating, it offers 120 concerts spread over 86 km along the Erdre river and the Nantes to Brest canal, from Guenrouët to Nantes, passing through 14 partner communes in Loire-Atlantique. Among the first names announced: the Orchestre National de Jazz, Anne Pacéo, Shai Maestro, Aja Monet, and Kyoto Jazz Massive.
40th Edition — Forty Years of Jazz and Classic Boating
The year 2026 marks a historic milestone for Les Rendez-vous de l'Erdre: the festival celebrates its 40th anniversary. From August 24 to 30, 2026, Nantes and fourteen partner communes in Loire-Atlantique will host this exceptional anniversary edition, combining jazz and nautical heritage. Entirely free, the festival unfolds over 86 kilometers of the Erdre river and the Nantes to Brest canal, from Guenrouët to the heart of Nantes.
As every year, 120 entirely free concerts are offered, exploring all aesthetics of contemporary jazz and improvised music: contemporary jazz, blues, soul, funk, brass bands, and world music. The festival remains faithful to the spirit of openness and artistic excellence that has characterized it since its origins.
A Calendar that Descends the Erdre and the Canal
The festival opens along the Nantes to Brest canal from August 24 to 26 (Guenrouët, Pont-Château, Blain, forêt du Gâvre, Vay, La Chevallerais, Saffré), continues along the Erdre river from August 26 to 30 (Sucé-sur-Erdre, Carquefou, Nort-sur-Erdre, Petit-Mars, Saint-Mars-du-Désert, La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Les Touches) and culminates in Nantes from August 28 to 30, notably on the île de Versailles and the quays of the Erdre.
New Projects for the 40th Anniversary
To celebrate this anniversary, two emblematic projects are announced: the creation of a new nautical stage, strengthening the unique link between music and river heritage, and a large participatory brass band (the Birthday Brass Band, bringing together about a hundred amateur musicians) which will animate the entire festival week.
The classic boating gathering will once again bring together heritage boats and their crews, offering a unique spectacle on the waters of the Erdre. The full program is gradually being unveiled on the official festival website.
Programme Rendez-vous de l'Erdre 2026
The full program for the 40th edition is gradually being unveiled on the official website. First names announced:
Jazz and Large Ensembles
- Orchestre National de Jazz — under the direction of Sylvaine Hélary, with guests Fantazio and Marc Ducret
- Shai Maestro — internationally renowned Israeli pianist
- Anne Pacéo — French drummer presenting her Atlantis project
Rising Stars and New Voices
- Aja Monet — blues singer and poet from Chicago
- Momoko Gill — London-based drummer and keyboardist
Blues, Funk, and World Music
- Sean « Mack » McDonald — blues from Georgia
- Kyoto Jazz Massive — Japanese electronic jazz legend
Special Events
- Melaine Dalibert — concert for an exceptional sunrise on August 26 in the forêt du Gâvre
- Birthday Brass Band — participatory brass band of about a hundred amateur musicians animating the entire week
The rest of the program will be announced in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Highlights Rendez-vous de l'Erdre 2026
- 40th anniversary of the festival
- 120 entirely free concerts
- Unique festival combining jazz and classic boating on the Erdre
- 86 km of festival, from Guenrouët to Nantes
- New nautical stage and large participatory brass band for the 40th anniversary
Prices Rendez-vous de l'Erdre 2026
Practical information — Rendez-vous de l'Erdre
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Nantes is accessible via the A11 motorway (from Paris), the A83 (from Niort/Bordeaux), and the A844/N844 (from Saint-Nazaire). The main stages are located along the Erdre, in the city center of Nantes (Île de Versailles, Quai de Versailles, Quai Henri-Barbusse).
By train: Nantes station is served by TGV from Paris-Montparnasse (approx. 2h15), Lyon, Lille, and Strasbourg. From the station, tram lines 2 or 3 allow you to reach the festival sites in a few minutes.
By public transport: The TAN network serves the various festival sites in Nantes. Tram line 2 and several bus lines provide access to the Erdre quays. For partner towns (Nort-sur-Erdre, Sucé-sur-Erdre, Carquefou, La Chapelle-sur-Erdre), Aléop transport lines are available.
Festival Venues in Nantes
Concerts in Nantes primarily take place on the quays of the Erdre: the nautical stage, the Sully stage, and various open-air cultural spaces, around the Île de Versailles and along the banks.
Pricing
All concerts and activities are completely free, with open access. No tickets are required.
Accessibility
The festival is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The open-air sites are equipped to welcome all audiences. For any specific requests, contact the organization via the official website.
Practical Tips
- The festival takes place entirely outdoors: bring sunscreen and rain gear.
- Food and drink stands are available at the main sites.
- Arrive early for the most anticipated concerts, as access is free within the limit of available places.
- Consult the detailed program on the official website for the exact times and locations of each concert.
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Where does it take place — Rendez-vous de l'Erdre
Quais de l'Erdre et île de Versailles
10 allée Duquesne, 44000 Nantes